Douglas Luiz commits football’s most unforgivable act and is slammed for his ‘lack of bravery’ – just seconds after coming off the bench in Juventus Champions League clash
Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz made an immediate impact after coming off the bench in his side’s 3-2 win over RB Leipzig, although it was not the kind of win his manager had in mind when he threw him on.
The Italian giants continued their revival under Thiago Motta with an impressive win in Germany despite playing with 10 men for the final half hour.
Luiz, who came over from Aston Villa this summer, was sent off just after the hour with the score at 1-1, after goals from Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic.
The Brazilian was probably instructed by his manager to help Juve take control of the match, having just seen Michele De Gregorio ask for an early shower. Instead, the 26-year-old’s first meaningful contribution was getting a penalty for handball.
During a free kick from Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, Luiz turned and raised his hand to protect his face. The move angered TNT Sports’ Don Hutchison, who said Motta should have signed the player immediately.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz conceded a penalty for handball less than a minute after entering the pitch
The Brazilian has struggled for game time in Turin since joining from Villa last summer
“Why would you put your arm there, just take it in the chest,” the former Scotland international said on the Goals Show Xtra. “Take him in the chest, man. You know what that is, a lack of courage. Take it in the chest.’
He added: ‘Shocking of Douglas Luiz, just a lack of courage. If I were Thiago Motta, I would take him off.’
Luiz was ultimately lucky to be saved by two of his two teammates as Juve staged a stunning comeback to maintain their 100 percent record in this year’s competition.
Vlahovic restored parity with a superb curling effort just three minutes after Sesko’s successful penalty, before Francisco Conceicao muscled his way through Leipzig’s defense and tucked his effort into the corner.
TNT Sports’ Don Hutchinson said he believes Motta should have taken Luiz off the pitch straight away
Luiz was saved by Dusan Vlahovic (centre), who grabbed a brace, and Francisco Conceicao (left), who scored the late winner
The result sees Motta extend his unbeaten start as Juve boss. The team is currently second in Serie A after three wins and three draws this season. They have not yet conceded a goal in the competition.
Luiz, meanwhile, has started just one of the side’s eight games in all competitions.